Heavyweight Champ
| Heavyweight Champ | |
|---|---|
| 350px Arcade flyer for the 1987 game | |
| Basic Information | |
Type(s) |
Video Game |
| SEGA | |
| SEGA | |
| SEGA | |
| Sports | |
| Arcade | |
 International Release Date(s)
| |
| 1976 1987 | |
| Awards | Changelog | Cheats | Codes Codex | Compatibility | Covers | Credits | DLC | Help Localization | Manifest | Modding | Patches | Ratings Reviews | Screenshots | Soundtrack Videos | Walkthrough | |
| Achievements GOG | In-Game | Origin | PlayStation Trophies | Retro Steam | Xbox Live | |
Heavyweight Champ is a boxing video game released by Sega. The original game was released in 1976. The game featured black-and-white graphics and critics have since identified it as the first video game to feature hand-to-hand fighting.[1][2][3] Sega released a remake to arcades in 1987, changing the side perspective of the original game to a third-person viewpoint from behind the boxer. Both games feature unique controls that simulate throwing actual punches.[1]
Sega would later reuse the Heavyweight Champ name for both the 8-bit versions of James Buster Douglas Knockout Boxing released outside of North America.
Gameplay[edit | edit source]
The 1976 original featured gameplay viewed from a side-view perspective. It employed two boxing glove controllers, one for each player, which moved up and down for high and low punches, with an inward movement for striking.[1] The 1987 game changed the perspective to behind the player's boxer. In addition, the player is given two punch controllers, one for each hand. Only a single-player mode was made available, in which the player faces a series of opponents in one-round, three minute bouts. Players can swivel the cabinet to move their boxer from side to side.[4] The large sprite character graphics was also detailed for its time. [1]
Reception[edit | edit source]
The 1987 remake was well received. Advanced Computer Entertainment and Commodore User praised the game's unique controls but raised concerns that they might decrease the lifespan of the cabinets.[5][6] Commodore User also had positive impressions of the game's graphics and gave the game a 9 out of 10 overall.[7]
Related games[edit | edit source]
Sega reused the Heavyweight Champ name when they released the Sega Master System version of James "Buster" Douglas Knockout Boxing outside of North America. The game features a side perspective and is otherwise unrelated to the arcade games. It was not received.[8][9][10]
The 1991 Sega arcade game Title Fight also featured controls for left and right punches and a similar behind-the-boxer perspective as the 1987 game, along with two-player gameplay through use of a dual-monitor cabinet.[11]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Spencer, Spanner, The Tao of Beat-'em-ups, EuroGamer, Feb 6 2008, Accessed Feb 23, 2009
- ↑ Ashcraft, Brian, (2008) Arcade Mania! The Turbo-Charged World of Japan's Game Centers, (Kodansha International), p. 94
- ↑ Nadia Oxford, 20 Years of Street Fighter, 1UP.com, 12/11/2007
- ↑ Heavyweight Champ (1987). International Arcade Museum. Retrieved on January 3, 2012
- ↑ "Heavyweight Champ". Advanced Computer Entertainment. March 1988. p. 26.
- ↑ "Heavyweight Champ. Commodore User. December 1987. p. 144
- ↑ Kelly, Nick. "Heavyweight Champ. Commodore User. January 1988.
- ↑ Heavyweight Championship Boxing. Mean Machines. Issue 7. pp 58-59.
- ↑ Heavyweight Champ. Raze. Issue 9. p. 54.
- ↑ Heavyweight Championship Boxing. CVG's Complete Guide to Sega. pp. 95-96.
- ↑ Title Fight. Killer List of Video Games. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
External links[edit | edit source]
